What Do Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher Do?
Job Description: Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.
Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher Responsibilities
- Enter into record-keeping systems appropriate data needed to create new title records or update existing ones.
- Obtain maps or drawings delineating properties from company title plants, county surveyors, or assessors’ offices.
- Confer with realtors, lending institution personnel, buyers, sellers, contractors, surveyors, and courthouse personnel to exchange title-related information or to resolve problems.
- Verify accuracy and completeness of land-related documents accepted for registration, preparing rejection notices when documents are not acceptable.
- Examine documentation such as mortgages, liens, judgments, easements, plat books, maps, contracts, and agreements to verify factors such as properties’ legal descriptions, ownership, or restrictions.
- Determine whether land-related documents can be registered under the relevant legislation such as the Land Titles Act.
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Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher Needed Skills
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Types of Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher Jobs
- Title Investigator
- Legal Instruments Examiner
- Record Searcher
- Title Supervisor
- Title Specialist
Is There Going to be Demand for Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 69,000 jobs in the United States for Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.3% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,000 new jobs for Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher by 2026. There will be an estimated 6,000 positions for Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher per year.

The states with the most job growth for Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher are Utah, North Dakota, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher
The salary for Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers ranges between about $28,610 and $80,150 a year.

Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers who work in District of Columbia, Oregon, or West Virginia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $43,440 |
Alaska | $59,530 |
Arizona | $53,850 |
Arkansas | $37,060 |
California | $58,180 |
Colorado | $64,900 |
Connecticut | $57,130 |
Delaware | $49,160 |
District of Columbia | $74,080 |
Florida | $50,350 |
Georgia | $39,410 |
Hawaii | $58,260 |
Idaho | $66,690 |
Illinois | $47,670 |
Indiana | $40,020 |
Iowa | $35,560 |
Kansas | $43,550 |
Kentucky | $39,760 |
Louisiana | $38,370 |
Maine | $51,770 |
Maryland | $41,100 |
Massachusetts | $63,330 |
Michigan | $41,350 |
Minnesota | $58,170 |
Mississippi | $43,500 |
Missouri | $47,830 |
Montana | $48,250 |
Nebraska | $38,540 |
Nevada | $56,090 |
New Hampshire | $42,720 |
New Jersey | $56,870 |
New Mexico | $49,800 |
New York | $60,500 |
North Carolina | $48,880 |
North Dakota | $57,610 |
Ohio | $48,520 |
Oklahoma | $49,280 |
Oregon | $65,150 |
Pennsylvania | $46,170 |
South Carolina | $50,290 |
South Dakota | $50,120 |
Tennessee | $45,830 |
Texas | $57,940 |
Utah | $46,670 |
Virginia | $45,530 |
Washington | $49,440 |
West Virginia | $59,440 |
Wisconsin | $48,730 |
Wyoming | $48,120 |
What Tools & Technology do Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Customer relationship management CRM software
- Salesforce
- Contact management software
How to Become a Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher
What education is needed to be a Title Examiner, Abstractor, or Searcher?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers Work

Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers work in the following industries:

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References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rau via Public domain
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